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Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Plastics Innovation Award 2013

The Charlwood Design team was delighted to win the BASF Plastics Innovation Award
for the Mittstrom Urine Test Device on 18th September, at the PlastixANZ
Plastics Industry Awards 2013.

Mittstrom is an innovative device for the hygienic
collection of midstream urine for analysis. It is a low-cost, fully
biodegradable corn-starch saddle into which a standard pathology collection jar
is placed. Initial urine is diverted from the jar by a thin membrane which dissolves
over 3 seconds allowing the midstream urine to flow into the collection vial.
Once finished the user simply removes the filled jar and flushes the device
down the toilet. This innovative product has been granted patents
internationally. Charlwood Design created the simple solution to the problem, using the
unique (Plantic) material and tested it for performance.

Paul Charlwood said "this really shows how design can create a
new business opportunity through innovative application of materials and
insight to the end user’s needs."